Mets: Zack Wheeler trade key to landing notable prospects but no guarantee

The most realistic way the New York Mets can land a top prospect this summer is to trade Zack Wheeler.

What do you think of the recent Jeurys Familia trade? The New York Mets got back two minor leaguers and some international pool money. It’s not a deal that blew anyone away. At best, some are happy to get anything at all.

If the Mets want to pull in any top-tier minor league talent this summer, the key lies with a Zack Wheeler trade. The controllable starting pitcher is the best candidate on this team to head elsewhere in exchange for a prospect some of us have heard of.

Before you get too excited, keep this in mind. There’s no guarantee a Wheeler trade can reel in anything special. Since he’s under team control through 2019, the Mets have a reason to keep him anyway. The debate of whether or not to trade Familia was easy. With Wheeler, there are more factors to consider.

In my slightly arrogant know-it-all opinion, they should trade Wheeler. I like the idea of a rotation with Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, and Wheeler opening 2019. I prefer they sell Wheeler now when there’s a big demand.

More from Rising Apple

• NY Mets Free Agent Retrospective: Daniel Murphy becomes an enemy
• NY Mets: 1 major award you didn’t realize the team has never won
• NY Mets: Trade market for starting pitchers feels non-existent
• NY Mets prospect Eric Orze has the stuff to become a future closer
• NY Mets Rumors: 1 big threat to steal 2 Flushing free agents

Wheeler’s trade value will never be higher than it is right now. He’s pitching well, affordable, and not a rental. The starting pitcher market is weaker than my personal best squat. It’s vital the Mets shop Wheeler as hard as they can over the next week. I’m certain someone will bite and overpay.

The American League is a tight race between a limited number of teams. In the National League, the pennant looks much more open. This helps a potential Wheeler trade as the AL teams want to have the edge while the NL ones are hoping to overpass their rivals.

More importantly, many of the sellers lack notable starting pitchers to deal. Cole Hamels is expensive and not pitching very well. Michael Fulmer isn’t having a very good season either.

Among non-contenders, the Mets seem to own four of the best starting pitchers. Since they won’t deal deGrom or Syndergaard and Matz is under control for a few more years, Wheeler is the odd man out.

Wheeler won’t cost a king’s ransom. He’d be worth the price of a prince’s cousin’s bride to be. He’s still royalty, but not by blood.

Asdrubal Cabrera is the only definite trade candidate remaining. Someone should buy low on Jerry Blevins, too.

If there’s any shot at building up the farm system, Wheeler needs to go. The alternative is to keep him and go into 2019 leaning on the starting rotation with an underwhelming list of prospects.

Next: Top five first baseman in Mets history

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

Whichever course the Mets set on, I’m not confident they find land.